KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Cabinet’s decisions: Four killed in Sunsari and Siraha declared martyrs, Ncell probe report to be made public
The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah has taken five decisions. The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, decided to provide a full exemption from clean infrastructure investment fee and value-added tax (VAT) on ambulances and hearses operated using electricity imported or produced within Nepal. The Cabinet also decided to declare four people who died during protests in Sunsari and Siraha as martyrs. Those declared martyrs are Om Prakash Mehta, Jai Prakash Mehta and Rabindra Kumar Mehta of Sunsari, and Ganesh Kumar Yadav of Siraha.
Speaker asks PM Shah to face Parliament, but PM remains non-committal
Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal met Prime Minister Balendra Shah at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Tuesday morning, urging him to attend Parliament and respond to questions raised by opposition lawmakers. The meeting between Shah and Aryal lasted around 45 minutes. During the meeting, Speaker Aryal told the Prime Minister that it had become difficult to run the House amid continued obstruction by opposition parties and urged him to appear in Parliament and respond to lawmakers’ questions. Aryal reminded Shah that the parliamentary regulations provide for a regular question-and-answer session with the Prime Minister once a month, as well as the Prime Minister’s address on contemporary issues.
Nepali Congress dissenting faction calls for halt to convention process until Supreme Court verdict
The Nepali Congress faction outside the establishment group has demanded an immediate halt to all decisions related to the party’s upcoming general convention, citing the Supreme Court’s decision to review a dispute concerning the party’s legal status and leadership. The National Gathering Organising Committee of the faction sent a letter to Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa and the Central Working Committee on Wednesday, urging them to keep the party’s organisational, policy and political activities unchanged until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict. The committee, coordinated by Dr Shashank Koirala, said the Supreme Court’s full bench had on August 7 granted permission to review the case filed by former party president Sher Bahadur Deuba and former acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka.
India responds on original copy of Sugauli Treaty, says ‘can discuss through bilateral mechanism’
Amid discussions in Nepal that the original copy of the 1816 Sugauli Treaty has not been found, India has said the issue can be discussed through the existing bilateral mechanism. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during a regular press briefing on Tuesday. He also reiterated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah to visit India on the very day he assumed office. Jaiswal was asked about Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal’s statement in Parliament on Tuesday that the original copy of the Sugauli Treaty had not been found. In response, Jaiswal said relations between Nepal and India remain good, while acknowledging that the two countries may not agree on every issue.
Opposition MPs protest over PM’s border remarks in House
Opposition lawmakers again protested in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, demanding that Prime Minister Balen Shah’s remarks concerning Nepal’s border with India be removed from the parliamentary record. Opposition lawmakers stood up in protest as soon as Tuesday’s meeting of the House began. Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal then gave Nepali Congress lawmaker Bharat Kumar Swar time to speak. Swar accused Prime Minister Shah of making irresponsible remarks regarding the border dispute with India and demanded that he apologise to Parliament.
Shekhar Koirala to urge party unity at Nepali Congress faction’s gathering
Nepali Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala is set to attend a national gathering being organised by the party’s faction outside the establishment group. Koirala’s personal secretary Dinesh Chandra Thapaliya confirmed that the leader will participate in the gathering scheduled to begin on August 14. “Congress leader Dr Shekhar Koirala will attend the inaugural ceremony of the gathering scheduled for August 14,” Thapaliya said on Tuesday.
Oli-Prachanda’s five-point directive on Provincial goats: Party not taking CM post to choose Ministry first
The CPN-UML and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) have proposed a framework for the formation of provincial governments and the allocation of ministerial portfolios. The framework has been proposed as part of the implementation of the three-point agreement reached between the two parties on July 25. The proposal, signed by UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and NCP Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, states that the number of seats held by each party in the respective provincial assembly will be the primary basis for forming provincial governments. Similarly, ministries will generally be distributed in proportion to the number of seats held by the parties in the provincial assemblies. The proposal also states that the positions of chief minister and speaker will be taken into account when determining the overall balance of power.
Special Court orders release of Shekhar Golchha on Rs 10 million bail
The Special Court has ordered the release of former Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) president Shekhar Golchha on bail of Rs 10 million in a money laundering case. A bench comprising Special Court Chairperson Basudev Acharya and members Hemanta Rawal and Bidur Koirala issued the order on Tuesday, directing that Golchha be released on bail or a bank guarantee of an equivalent amount and be allowed to face the case while remaining on regular court dates. The government had filed a money laundering case against Golchha, accusing him of using funds from Himalayan Reinsurance Company, where he served as chairman, to purchase shares through Broker No. 55 and of providing a substantial amount of money personally through the same broker.
CTEVT contract workers stage protest demanding job security
Contract, monthly and daily wage workers of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT) have staged a protest outside the council’s central office in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, demanding job security and other benefits. The Contract, Monthly and Daily Wage Workers Central Struggle Committee staged a sit-in at the office, demanding arrangements to allow workers to continue working in their existing positions and ensure their employment and service benefits. The committee has demanded that 74 workers who have been removed from their jobs be reinstated. It has also demanded that contract workers be provided with facilities including Dashain advance, uniforms, training, and remote-area and local allowances.
Transport entrepreneurs demand customs concession on EV parts
Transport entrepreneurs have urged the government to provide customs concessions on the import of electric vehicle (EV) parts, arguing that the move would help promote an environment-friendly transport system. A delegation led by Punya Prasad (Saroj) Sitaula, chairperson of the Nepal National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs, submitted an 11-point memorandum to Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle on Monday. The delegation urged the government to take immediate measures to address problems facing the transport sector. The Federation said the transport sector currently involves investments worth around Rs 13 billion and provides livelihoods to around four million families.
Dry landslide damages Gharkhola hydropower project; one missing
One person has gone missing and another has been injured after a dry landslide struck Pokharebagar in Annapurna Rural Municipality-6, Myagdi, this morning. The landslide also damaged the powerhouse of the 14-MW Gharkhola Hydropower Project. According to the District Police Office, Dipak Baruwal, 55, a worker at the powerhouse, went missing, while Surendra BK, 31, sustained injuries. Baruwal is a resident of Annapurna Rural Municipality-6, while BK is from Gauriganga Municipality-5. Police Inspector Sagar Timilsina said a joint team of police personnel, the Nepali Army, the Armed Police Force, local representatives, and residents is continuing the search operation for the missing person.
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